Lower limb injuries in aerobics participants in Western Australia: An incidence study

To determine the incidence of injury in aerobics classes in Perth, Western Australia, a questionnaire was developed and distributed to 274 aerobics participants and 59 instructors at 20 aerobics centres. Questionnaires were returned from 86 per cent of instructors and 94 per cent of participants. Thirty-five per cent of instructors and 22 per cent of participants reported at least one injury caused or aggravated by aerobics in the previous 12 months. When hours of participation or instruction per year were considered, the injury incidence rate was 0.18 injuries per 100 hours for the instructors and 0.27 injuries per 100 hours for the participants. Instructors reported ankle/foot injuries (43.3 per cent) and shin injuries (23.3 per cent) most commonly while participants, particularly those in step classes, reported that the knee was injured most commonly. Injuries among aquarobics participants were low and were confined to the calf, ankle and foot.